Power tilleroperated seeder Service Providers Oneday training Session

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training Session 1 – Introduction, training objectives and pre-training evaluation Funded by Cereal Systems Initiative for South Asia Partner s

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training What do you expect to learn from this training? In groups, discuss what you think you’ll learn today.

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training Choose one of the participants to speak for the group. Take Notes.

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training Today’s sessions 1. Introduction, training objectives and pretraining evaluation 2. Introduction to the two-wheeled tractor 3. Introduction PTOS 4. Major parts of the PTOS and their functions 5. Calibration (practical exercise)

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training Today’s sessions 6. 7. 8. 9. How to use a PTOS safely and effectively Troubleshooting and maintenance Starting a PTOS business Review of key messages, post-training evaluation and close of training

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training What kind of training is this? This is participatory training, so: • Ask questions and speak. • Learn by experience: try mechanical seeding yourself.

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training • Discuss each topic with your group. • Speak up when the facilitator asks questions – and ask questions yourself. This way we can learn from each other.

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training Please enjoy this training! • Feel free to ask questions and to contribute your knowledge! • Make sure you get time to practice calibration of the mechanical seeders! • Have fun!

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training Session 2 – Introduction to the two-wheeled tractor Funded by Cereal Systems Initiative for South Asia Partner s

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training Inspecting the two-wheeled tractor before Start by checkingstarting the bolts and tightening them. Fill the radiator with water

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) Fill the tank with high-quality fuel One-day training Ensure the V-belts are tight

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) Make sure the small fan belt is tight One-day training Tighten tension belts with the adjusting screw

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training Add engine oil (if needed)

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) Check and fill the oil transmission One-day training Verify the air filter and exhaust pipe is not blocked

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training Apply light touch of oil To start, ensure all gears are in neutral to oil clutch and bearings

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) Turn fuel tap to the left to the ‘on’ position One-day training Turn throttle fully to ‘on’ position

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training Starting the two-wheeled tractor Turn the decompression lever left and hold down

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training Turn crank clockwise as fast as possible until engine starts

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training After starting, verify the engine has enough oil. Add more if needed

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training Session 3 – Introduction to the PTOS Funded by Cereal Systems Initiative for South Asia Partner s

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training What is a PTOS? A power tiller operated seeder, or PTOS: • tills the soil and plants seed and places fertilizer at the same time • can be attached to a Dongfeng or Sifeng twowheeled tracto

Power tiller-operated seeder One-day training • has 48 blades used for tilling the soil (compared to 18 with a power tiller) • reduces the time needed to till and plant a field Using a PTOS to plant farmers’ fields can be profitable – for the machine owner and the farmer!

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training Most PTOS are 1. 2 m wide – some are 1 m wide. The depth of tillage is adjustable, but can be as deep as about 6 cm. The PTOS usually weighs about 145 kg.

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training Power tillers require between 2 -4 passes to complete tillage and sowing – the PTOS needs only one pass.

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training What crops can be sown with a PTOS? • wheat • maize • rice • pulses (legumes) • barley • jute • many other • mustard • sesame small and • Sunflower medium-sized seed crops Different seeding mechanisms must be used with the PTOS for different crops.

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training What are the advantages of using the PTOS for line sowing? Seed and fertilizer are placed in the ground in the same line. This improves the use of fertilizer by the crop.

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training Seeding depth is uniform, which means better seed germination and crop establishment. It is easier to move around the field to weed and manage the crop without stepping on plants. The optimum crop density can be more easily established by PTOS. Good crop density can increase yield.

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training Session 4 – Major parts of the PTOS and their functions Funded by Cereal Systems Initiative for South Asia Partner s

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) Major parts of the PTOS rotovator chain and sprocket roller scraper mudguar d One-day training

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training The rotovator Rotovator with 48 tines used for fill tillage Rotovator with 24 tines arranged for strip tillage

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training Function: The rotovator tills the soil with rotating tines. These rotate faster than with a typical power tiller. The rotovator on-off clutch

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training The hitching gear Location of hitching gear Close-up of hitching gear Function: The hitching gear connects the PTOS to a two-wheeled tractor and transmits power to it from the tractor.

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training The rotovator chain and sprocket Close-up of chain and Location of sprocket with chain cover the cover removed Function: The chain cover protects the rotovator chain from dust, straw, soil and other materials. It is important to protect this part of the PTOS and to keep it regularly

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training The seed and fertilizer boxes On the Left: location of the seed box (red arrow) and fertilizer box (green arrow).

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) fertilizer box seed box Seed and fertilizer boxes One-day training Function: These boxes hold the seed and fertilizer before they are placed in the soil.

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training The seed and fertilizer meters With most PTOS, these are more common for seed and fertilizer. Inclined plate-style seed meters Fluted roller seed meters

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training Function: These meters deliver seed and fertilizer from the seed boxes to the seed tubes. They rotate as the machine moves, capturing seed and fertilizer, and dropping them into the seed tubes.

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training The seed and fertilizer rate adjustment knobs fertilizer adjustment knob seed rate adjustment knob The seed and fertilizer on-off lever/clutch

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) seed on-off lever One-day training Function: The seed/fertilizer on-off clutch switches the seed fertilizer and fertilizer meters on-off on and off. lever

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training Seed metering shaft or bevel gear shaft Function: The seed metering shaft or bevel gear shaft transmits power to the seed meters.

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training Note: this kind of shaft is found only on inclined plate-style seed meters. It is not used for fluted roller meters.

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training Power transmission chain Function: The power transmission chain transmits power from the wheel axle to the seed and fertilizer metering shafts.

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training Furrow opener assembly Furrow openers at the rear of the PTOS (shown without the attached seed and fertilizer delivery tubes)

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) seed tube furrow opener fertilizer tube One-day training Furrow opener, detail, showing seed and fertilizer tubes. Note the fertilizer tube is at the front, the seed tube is at the back.

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training Function: The furrow opener is dragged behind the rotovator blades and opens the soil to place seed Four kinds of furrow opener and fertilizer.

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training Furrow opener setting and adjustment bolts furrow openers can be moved left or right furrow openers can be removed/added as required

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training Function: Adjust the furrow openers to maintain the correct line-to-line distance when sowing the cop On most PTOS, use the adjustment bolts to add or remove the furrow openers, or to shift them left to right. Other models have a ‘tool bar’ – this uses “U” clamps to attach the furrow openers.

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training Levelling roller Function: The levelling roller is at the back of the machine. It moves tilled soil back into the slots created by the furrow openers, covering the seed.

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training When used for strip tillage, it also pushes the residue down into a mulch. Note the mud lap and scraper at the very end of the machine, which removes soil from the roller.

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training Tillage depth adjustment bar deep tillage depth adjustment bar shallow tillage

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training Function: The tillage depth adjustment bar allows the tillage depth to be increased or decreased. Remove the bolts, move the position of the roller bar, and re-bolt the adjustment bar. Note: the depth needs to be adjusted on both sides of the machine to be correct.

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training Key messages The major parts of a PTOS are: • rotovator (with rotary blades, also called tines) • and the rotovator on/off • lever • • hitching gear • rotovator chain and sprocket seed/fertilizer boxes seed/fertilizer meters seed/fertilizer rate adjustment knobs

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) • seed/fertilizer on/off levers (clutch) • • seed metering shaft or • bevel gear shaft (on select PTOS models • only) • • power transmission One-day training chain furrow openers furrow adjustment setup levelling bar or roller tillage depth control bar

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training Session 5 – Calibration of the PTOS Funded by Cereal Systems Initiative for South Asia Partner s

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training What is calibration – and why is it important? Calibration is essential to make sure that the PTOS meters the correct rate of seed (or fertilizer) per unit of land area. Calibrate the PTOS by changing the length of the fluted rollers (so they provide more or less seed and fertilizer).

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training Some machines have inclined plates – you can change these for different seed types. Inclined plates provide precise seeding, though calibration checking is still necessary. Calibrate your PTOS at least once at the beginning of every season, and when you change from sowing one crop type to another!

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training Calibrating the PTOS: an example Remember: 1 ha = 7. 5 bigha, around 247 decimals or 10, 000 m 2. The recommended seed rate for machinesown wheat is 100 kg per ha (16 kg per bigha, or 0. 4 kg per decimal).

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training Following the appropriate line distance for the crop being sown (for wheat this is 20 cm from row to row), set the position and number of furrow openers starting at the middle point of the machine.

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training For wheat, 6 furrow openers will give a line -to-line average distance of 20 cm (0. 2 m), and a full length of 1. 2 m – so place the furrow openers starting at the center of the machine (0. 6 m).

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training For maize, 2 furrow openers will give a line -to-line average distance of 60 cm (0. 6 m) – so set them both 30 cm away from the center of the machine at 0. 6 m, measured from the side of the machine.

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training For mungbean, 4 furrow openers will give a line-to-line average distance of 30 cm (0. 3 m) – so set the first left and right ones 15 cm from the center (at 0. 6 m), then the others 30 cm away.

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training Remove unused furrow openers and attach poly bags to the remaining ones (unless sowing maize or sunflower) 1. If you are sowing 4 rozzws, remove the extra furrow openers.

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training 2. Cover the openings to these furrow openers’ seed tubes in the seed and fertilizer boxes with tape (this stops the seed and fertilizer spilling on to the ground). 3. Attach plastic bags to the end of the seed delivery tube (by removing the tube from the furrow openers you will use) with rubber bands. Make sure there is enough space for it to collect seed or fertilizer.

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training Calibration calculation: smaller seeds rate we need to know To meter seed at the correct how much seed is required in each line’s plastic bag before running the machine in the field. This can be determined by using a generic and simple calculation:

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training For wheat sown at a rate of 120 kg/hectare on a trial plot of 20 m length, with a line-to-line distance of 20 cm, the calculation is: This gives this result:

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training Calibration calculation: big seeds For crops like maize where the number of seeds per unit of land area is more important than the weight, the calculation is different. For example, irrigated maize is often seeded at a rate of 83, 333 plants per hectare, and at 60 cm line-toline spacing.

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training To calibrate for this rate using the same 20 m trial plot, do not use plastic bags. Instead, let the seed fall on the ground and count the number of seeds per 1 m length (do this along several one-meter lengths to ensure consistency)

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training Here is the formula for maize using this seed rate: Now try to calculate: how many seeds would you count in a 1 -meter length?

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training Calibration calculation: big seeds and fertilizer For maize, the formula on the last page gives the following result:

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training Now, what about fertilizer? Imagine you want to add 100 kg of urea to the soil when you seed wheat. What is the correct calculation procedure?

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) This gives the following calculation One-day training

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training Now, in your group, calculate: how much urea fertilizer is needed per plastic bag for each row?

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training Calibration calculation: fertilizer results Did you get the calculation correct? Congratulations! You are now almost a calibration expert. Now all you need is practice

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training Calibration practice 1. Put the seed and/or fertilizer in the seed and fertilizer boxes. 2. Select the uppermost hole of the tillage depth controlling bar, making sure the tines don’t touch the soil.

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training 3. Run the machine for 20 meters.

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training 4. Weigh each plastic bag of seeds separately using a digital balance (or for maize or sunflower and big-seeded crops, count the number of seeds) and observe whether an equal amount/number of seeds are dropped in each line.

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training 5. If the lines are not equal or if the seed rate is incorrect, adjust the PTOS by rotating the knobs.

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training If you are using a fluted roller and seeds are found to be more (or less) than required amount, turn the knob to the right (or left) to reduce (or increase) the size of the fluted roller that is visible from the top of the seed box. This changes how much seed is metered. Repeat this process until you have achieved the correct seed rate.

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training When you have arrived at the right seed rate, use a permanent marker to mark on the machine where to set the knobs for each crop (although it’s advisable to check this calibration at the beginning of each season).

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training Some PTOS use an inclined plate seed meter – these don’t require much adjustment, as each plate is made specifically for the type of seed you want to meter, at the correct rate. For these seed meters, the seed rate depends on the number of cells on the periphery of the plate and number of revolutions per minute the plate turns for.

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training Seed and fertilizer calibration – key messages • Calibration means setting up the PTOS to get a definite seed or fertilizer rate before operating the machine. • Calibrate seed meters, considering 1) the style of seed metering plate (whether fluted or inclined), and 2) the type and size of seed.

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training • It is best to calibrate 1) at the beginning of each season, and 2) before and after you change crops. • To calculate the metering length, use the mathematics and procedure given in this module.

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training • Set the metering roller length by moving the metering knob clockwise or counter clockwise, to change the amount of seed or fertilizer picked up and rotated by the fluted rollers, before it’s dropped into the soil.

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training Session 6 – How to use a PTOS safely and effectively Funded by Cereal Systems Initiative for South Asia Partner s

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training Safe PTOS operation is a must! Never wear loose fitting clothing around agricultural machinery! Never work without shoes! NO! The PTOS can be dangerous – it’s important to stay safe when using it. Wear tight clothing when operating a PTOS machine, so it won’t become tangled in its moving parts – this can

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) NO UNSAFE One-day training Yes SAFE

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training NO Never use the PTOS around children – they can easily get hurt.

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training How do you prepare the PTOS for use in the field? • Be sure there is enough fuel, engine oil and water in the radiator to run the machine and complete the day’s work. • Check the nut and bolts on the PTOS, and the belt pressure and tine setting. Make sure all the nuts and belts are tight.

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training • Check the tine settings and make sure they are correct for the type of tillage (48 tines for full tillage and 24 tines for strip tillage), and that you have the right blades for your soil type. On the left: rotovator with 48 tines used for fill tillage of wheat.

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training • Keep the rotovator on-off lever in the off position until starting the machine. Rotovator with 24 tines arranged for strip tillage of wheat. Blade arrangement should be changed for other crops, depending on line-to-line distance.

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training Session 7 – Troubleshooting and maintenance Funded by Cereal Systems Initiative for South Asia Partner s

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training Problem 1: seed or fertilizer metering shaft may bend or break Symptoms: chain slips, shaft does not rotate properly Causes: jams in the metering system

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training Effects: seed and/or fertilizer rate will not be correct Solution: clean the metering system, apply lubricant Spare parts required: none (unless shaft is so bent that it needs to be replaced) Tools required: L-dual wrench, adjustable wrench, screwdriver

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training Problem 2: the hitching gears on the PTOS and 2 -WT do not work Symptoms: gear pinion slips and produces a grinding noise

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training Causes: overload on the gear pinion (from tilling hard soil or deep tillage) and/or lack of sufficient gear lubricant Effects: complete machine failure Solutions: replace the gear/pinion and/or replace the shaft/casing

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training Spare parts required: new gear Where to get or make/repair spare parts: spare gears can be collected from dealers or made in local workshops Tools required: dual wrench set, adjustable wrench, screwdriver

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training Problem 3: the seed and fertilizer on-off lever does not work Seed on-off lever Fertilizer on-off lever Symptoms: PTOS will not run or stops metering seed/fertilizer

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training Causes: worn out/broken clutch, worn out clutch ball, loosening or wearing out of the spring inside the clutch Effects: the seed and fertilizer meter cannot be turned on or off Solutions: repair the faulty parts; replace with new spare parts

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training Spare parts required: clutch ball, springs, or clutch Where to get or make/repair spare parts: collect from PTOS dealer or from a shop dealing in spare parts for two-wheeled tractors Tools required: dual wrench set, adjustable wrench, allen or hex key, screwdriver

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training Problem 4: the locking clamps on the seed/fertilizer metering shafts are loose/rusted and cannot be tightened or loosened

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training Symptoms: the metering roller length varies (observable from the top of the seed/fertilizer boxes) and seed/fertilizer metering is uneven Causes: loose nuts and bolts; rusted clutch

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training Effects: seed and fertilizer rates vary between rows, even after correct calibration Solutions: adjust and tighten bolts or replace them, or use nuts that automatically lock Spare parts required: nuts and bolts, clamps

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training Where to get or make/repair spare parts: collect new clamps from a dealer or have them made in local workshops. Nuts and bolts are usually available in hardware and tool stores Tools required: Dual wrench set, screwdriver adjustable wrench,

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training Problem 5: the levelling roller bearings jam Symptoms: roller does not rotate properly or is dragged across the soil Causes: rusting, bearing seal damage or corrosion, bent roller shaft

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training Effects: roller does not rotate freely, soil accumulates in front of the roller during tillage, roller drags crop residues (in the case of strip tillage) Solution: remove the bearings, lubricate them, and replace them, or remove and replace with new bearings

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training Spare parts required: new bearings, circular clips Where to get spare parts: most tool shops Tools required: dual wrench set, adjustable wrench, screwdriver

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training Problem 6: the horizontal transmission shaft and its casing breaks Symptoms: machine stops, or cracks found in the transmission casing

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training Spare parts required: Causes: excessive overloading shaft/casing Effects: Where to get spare complete machine failure parts: PTOS dealers Tools required: Solution: dual wrench set, replace shaft/casing adjustable wrench, screwdriver

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training Problem 7: the transmission chain and bearing breaks Symptoms: rotary shaft does not rotate and produces noise

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) Causes: lack of gear oil, excessive load, worn out bearing(s), loss of or lack of sufficient chain lubricant, deposition of dust in chain-sprocket Effect: rotary shaft does not move One-day training Solutions: re-join the chain link, replace with a new link if broken, replace bearings, replace the gasket and fill it with new gear oil

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) Spare parts required: chain link, chain, bearing and gasket Where to get spare parts: dealers/shops dealing with spare parts for twowheeled tractors One-day training Tools required: dual wrench set, adjustable wrench, screwdriver, hammer and chisel

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training PTOS maintenance and storage During operation • Remove straw and other objects from machine parts regularly; clean, and tighten nuts and bolts. • Ensure the rotovator chain-sprocket casing has sufficient lubricant • Apply lubricant to all moving parts like bearings, bushings and chain-sprockets.

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training For extended storage (between seasons) • Carefully wash and clean the PTOS. • Store the PTOS somewhere that is out of the rain. the PTOS on a platform so it does not • Store contact the soil. • If necessary, paint the PTOS to avoid rust.

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training • Cover the gearbox with a polythene sheet. • Store the PTOS in a dry place, out of the reach of children.

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training Key messages Troubleshooting • The horizontal transmission shaft can sometimes break due to excessive loading and cause complete machine failure. • The seed-metering shaft may bend due to jams in the metering system, and cause nonuniform seed metering.

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training • Overload of gear pinions due during tillage, or a lack of gear oil, can cause damage to the hitching gears. This may reduce engine power. • The seed/fertilizer on-off clutch may not work due to (1) overuse or (2) if it is damaged, or (3) the ball clutch wearing out, or (4) damage to the spring inside the clutch (or due to spring fatigue).

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training • The rotary shaft may not rotate and produce noise because of a lack of gear oil and/or excessive load or worn out, old bearings. • The levelling roller bearings can become jammed or faulty due to rusting or damage of the bearing seal (a result of the gathering of soil on it) or the roller shaft bend.

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training • Mishandling or excessive wear and tear can cause the casing on the vertical transmission chain-sprocket box to break. Maintenance • Regularly replace lubricant in the rotovator chain-sprocket casing

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training • Regularly apply lubricant to moving parts, including bearings, bushings, chainsprocket, etc. • Between seasons, store the PTOS on a platform so it does not contact the soil. • Between seasons, and if needed, the PTOS should be painted to avoid rust.

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training • Between seasons, the gearbox should be covered with polythene sheet. • Between seasons, store the machine in a dry place and beyond the reach of children.

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training Session 8 – Starting a PTOS business Funded by Cereal Systems Initiative for South Asia Partner s

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training What do we mean by a ‘business’? the activity of making, buying or selling goods, or providing a service in exchange for money or for other goods and services. any activity/occupation run by an individual or group to obtain a profit and satisfy customer needs.

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training Most farmers who buy a PTOS use it to run a business and make money by hiring it out. Some types of business are: • manufacturing • providing agricultural machinery services to • trading farmers • running a store • farming

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training What is a business plan? • It sets out a sales and marketing strategy. • It identifies possible profits and losses.

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training A PTOS business plan asks: Where is my market for a PTOS service – where will farmers pay for PTOS sowing? What is the demand for a PTOS service in my area? Other areas? What is my capacity to provide a PTOS service?

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training What machinery, equipment, fuel and spare parts are needed to run a PTOS business? What is my source of capital – how can I afford to buy a PTOS? What profit can I get from my proposed PTOS business? How can I get as many farmer-clients as possible to pay to use the PTOS?

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training Service provider experience sharing

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training Do you know a successful PTOS service provider? Ask them some questions! Why did they start a PTOS business? How are they running their business?

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training What are the costs and benefits of running a PTOS business? How long did it take to break even – or how long do they think it’ll take? What activities/strategies make their PTOS business profitable? What challenges do they face? What benefits do the farmers (their clients)

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training Questions to ask yourself before becoming a PTOS service provider Where do I get the money to buy a PTOS? Service provider Where can I buy a PTOS? How can I improve my skills as a PTOS service Where can I get spare parts for my PTOS and get it repaired? provider? How can I offer reaper services profitabl y to farmers ? How can I and my farmer-clients profit at the same time? How can I attract farmerclients? Where do I start mythere? What about business? What is elsewhere? the demand for PTOS service business? What activities/strategies should I follow to expand the How do I offer services to farmers and still make a regular profit?

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training To attract farmer-clients, you must advertise – ‘sell’ the idea of the PTOS to farmers in your village and in villages nearby What are the benefits of a PTOS?

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training Benefits of the PTOS You can till, seed and fertilize at the same time. It can be used for full or strip tillage. The PTOS sows the seed in lines – this. Improves crop establishment and makes it easy to walk around in the crop to carry out weeding and other work.

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training Crop establishment is better with the PTOS than with broadcast seeding. The PTOS saves the farmer time, money and labour. For some crops, you need less seed if you use a PTOS. You can sow the crop early and quickly - this often increases yield.

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training PTOS business: cost benefit analysis Traditional tillage and hand sowing Box A: Wheat: Tillage+sowing (cost to farmer) Area = Tillage (multiple-passes) = Seed sowing = Fertilizing = Total = Box H: Alternative crop 1: Tillage+sowing (cost to farmer) Machine sowing Machine with a PTOS sowing with a PTOS Box B: PTOS (capital cost) Cost of a twowheeled tractor= Fuel+oil cost for tillage = Box F: PTOS service profit (wheat) Seed sowing = Fertilizing = Total= Box E: PTOS service charge (cost to farmer)(wheat) Till+sow+fertilize = = Box G – Wheat Farmer savings Box J: Alternative 1 (consumables cost) Box K: Alternative 1 Fuel+oil cost for tillage = (opportunity cost) SP’s labour = Area = Tillage (multiple passes) = Box D: SP labour (opportunity cost)(wheat) Box C: (consumables cost)(wheat) Box L: Alternative 1 PTOS service charge (cost to farmer) Till+sow+fertilize) = Box M: SP profit (Alternative 1) Box N: farmer’s savings (Alternative 1)

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) Box I: Alternative crop 2 : Tillage+sowing (cost to farmer) Area = Tillage (at least two passes) = Seed sowing = Fertilizing = Total = Box Q: (consumables cost) Fuel+oil cost of tillage = Box Y: Time/area required to break even Box V – Area you can till+sow+fertilize in 1 day Box W: No. of days to till+sow+fertilize per year Area to till+sow+fertilize = Wheat (AA) = Alternative crop 1 (AB) = Alternative crop 2 (AC) = Wheat (AD) = Alternative crop 1 (AE) = Alternative crop 2 (AF) = Z - 1 bigha = 0. 33 decimal/acre = 0. 134 h hectare Wheat: Alternative 1: Alternative 2: Time (in years) required Box R: SP labour (opportunity cost) = Box T – SP profit (Alternative 2) Box S: PTOS service charge (cost to farmer) Till+sow+fertilize) = Box U: Farmer’s savings (Alternative 2) Box X: SP yearly profit One-day training

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training Importance of keeping financial records Keep careful records of your profit and how much you spend – these are important for working out how long it takes to break even, and to figure out ways to profit more.

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training Here’s some examples you can use: A) Primary investment Item 1. Two-wheeled tractor 2. PTOS 3. Transportation 4. Others Total investment = Date Quantity/No. Unit price Own money Credit

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training B) Monthly income-expenditure Month: (for example, ‘March 2015’) Month March Expenditure(for operating the PTOS) Item Quantity/N Money paid o. (in BDT) Income (as service charge) Farmer Area and crop Diesel/petrol Mobile/grease Spare parts Transportation Labour Others 400 100 60 50 300 Abdul Malek Ramijuddin Sheikh Mafiz Shafi Mia 910 Total income = Total cost = Total profit (total Income – total cost) April Total cost = Total profit (total income – total cost) 10 liter 500 ml 2 nos. 1 Total income = 0. 25 ha (jute) 0. 45 ha (wheat) 0. 25 ha (mung) 0. 5 ha (jute) Money paid (in BDT) 800 1000 1200 1600 4600 3690

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training Keep a list of farmer-clients – this also helps pro Sample: List of farmers to receive PTOS services next month Date Farmer’s name, address, mobile no. Crop Shahidul Khan. Dumuria sub-district, Wheat Khulna. Tel: +88017648892 Land area 1 bigha (0. 13 hectare) (tentative) 8 a. m. Time 11 a. m.

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training Review of key messages Now that we have learned that service providers use business plans to make the most money possible while keeping farmer clients satisfied, can you answer the following questions? Where can I find a market for line sowing crops using the PTOS? What is the demand for line sowing? How can I increase this demand?

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training What is my capacity to provide PTOS services? What more do I need to know or learn to start and run a PTOS business? What are my machinery and equipment needs for line sowing of different crops? What does it mean to ‘break even' on an investment?

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training How can I provide services profitably? What is the potential profit from my proposed PTOS business? How much time (months or years) might be required to break even? What benefits will farmers (my clients) get from my proposed PTOS business?

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training Review of key messages, post-training evaluation and close of training Session 9 Funded by Cereal Systems Initiative for South Asia Partner s

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training What are the major parts of a PTOS? What are the benefits of line sowing with a PTOS? What is calibration? How do you do it? What are the potential major failures or breakdowns of the PTOS and their cause(s)? What are their solutions?

Power tiller-operated seeder (Service Providers) One-day training What is a business plan? How can you make PTOS services profitable, while also benefiting farmers? Why is financial record keeping important?